Disk type garden cultivator



Oct. 3, 1950 D. A. ROSS! 2,524,330

DISK TYPE GARDEN CULTIVATOR Filed Aug. 31, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 luveutor Oct. 3, 1950 D. A. ROSS] 2,524,330

DISK TYPE GARDEN CULTIVATOR Filed Aug. 31, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor iomeizz'adfiaszfz Gd. 3, 1950 D. A. Ross| 2,524,330

DISK TYPE GARDEN CULTIVATOR Filed Aug. 31, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet s m WWW EM? Patented Oct. 3, 1950 2,524,330 DI ISK TYPE GARDEN CULTIVATOR Domenic A. Rossi,

one-half to Heights, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio, assignor of Joseph Mercurio, Cleveland Application August 31, 1946, Serial No. 694,213

"E Claima This invention relates to an improved hand or garden cultivator of the type having disc cutters, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable and eflicient cultivator of this kind which embodies two cultivating units which may be adjusted toward or away from each other to accommodate the cultivator to rows of different widths.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cultivator of the above kind in which the cultivating units are adjustable to different angular positions relative to the line of travel of the cultivator, whereby to vary the action of the cutters in throwing the soil toward or away from the plants.

The invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of a cultivator constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the same.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section, taken on line '4-i of Figure 3, with parts omitted.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2, with parts omitted.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a modification. of the cultivator illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the cultivator shown in Figure 7.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the present cultivator includes a frame 5 composed of two hollow slab-like sections 6 and 'l which are adjustable toward or away from each other to vary the width of the frame. The section 6 is open at its inner side and slidably receives a reduced extension 8 which is carried by and projects from the inner side of the section i. The extension 8 snugly slidably fits in the section 6 and may consist of a hollow slab-like member fitted in the section I and secured thereto by bolt and nut means indicated at 9. Extension 8 is provided with spaced parallel elongated slots ID that extend transversely of the frame to the free outer end of said extension, and nutted bolts ll, l2 and I3 are extended through the inner portion of section 5 and through the slots ID for securing the sections in relatively adjusted posilOIlS.

Bolted to the underside of each frame section B and 1 at [2 and i4 and 9 and M, respectively, is the frame l5 of a cultivating unit. The frame l5 of each cultivating unit carries a plurality of revoluble disc cutters I 6. Each frame l5 consists of an upper horizontal member provided at its ends with depending members I! having a shaft l8 journaled in the lower ends thereofand on which the cutters it are secured. The depending members are adjustable in length so as to regulate the height of the frame 5 from the ground. For this purpose, the depending members ll preferably consist of slidably overlapped sections adjustably bolted together by means of a bolt l9 carried by one section and extending through an elongated slot 26 provided in the other section. The bolts 9 and I 2 pivotally attach the inner ends of the frame l5 of the cultivating units to the underside of the main frame 5 of the cultivator for swinging adjustment about vertical axes, whereby to adjust the cultivating units to difierent angles relative to the line of travel of the cultivator and thereby vary the action of the cutters 16 in throwing the soil toward or away from the plants. The angular adjustment of the cultivating units is permitted by passing the bolts l4 through arcuate slots 2| provided i the sections 6 and 1 concentric with the bolts 9 and I2, respectively. By tightening the nuts on the bolts 9 and I2, the angular adjustment of the cultivating units may be secured. At this time, it is appropriate to mention the fact that the cultivating units are reversible end for end so that the concaved surfaces of the cutters 16 may be faced inward to throw the soil toward the plants, or such concaved surfaces may be faced outward when it is desired to throw the dirt away from the plants.

Handle means is provided for moving and guiding the cultivating units over the ground. In the pull-type of cultivator shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the handle means preferably consists of an elongated handle 22 provided at one end with a cross-piece or handle bar 23, and having its other end rigidly attached to the frame 5 by means of straps 2 Corresponding ends of the straps 2c are bolted at 25 to opposite sides of the.

handle 22, and these straps have outwardly directed ends bolted at 26 to the frame sections 5 and 7, respectively. The front edge Walls of the sections 6 and l may have longitudinal series of openings for selective reception of the bolts 26 so that the straps 24 may be bolted to the sections 6 3 and i regardless of their adjustment toward and away from each other. A similar and equivalent provision would be to provide elongated slots for the bolts 25, either in the outturned ends of straps 24 or the front edge walls of the sections (3 and '5.

As the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 inclusive includes no ground engaging supporting wheel or wheels, it is desirable to provide means to facilitate transportation of the cultivator from one place to another without allowing contact of the cutters it with the ground. For this purpose, brackets or axle mounts 2i are bolted at 23 upon the outer ends of and adjacent the rear edges of the frame sections and l, said mounts 27 carrying laterally projecting axles 253 on which are journaled ground engaging wheels disposed outwardly of but adjacent the outer sides of the sections 6 and i. The arrangement such that when the cultivator is inverted so that the cul tivating units project upwardly, the wheels 39 will contact the ground and facilitate transportation of the cultivator from one place to another when not in use.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 is of the type adapted to be pushed forwardly over ground. This embodiment the same as that of Figures 1 and 2 in so far as the frame and the cultivating units are concerned. In this emoodiinent of Figures 7 and 8, however, the wheels and their mounts Eli are dispensed with, and a wheeled handle means is substituted for the handle means 22 to 25 inclusive. As shown, the vertical arms of angular brackets 3! 'are'bolted at to the forward edges of the frame sections 6 and the forwardly pr0- jecting lower arms of said brackets ii having a transverse axle 33 mounted in the forward ends thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom. Relatively large ground engaging supporting wheels 3 are journaled on the projecting ends of the axle 33. The sections 6 and i have longi tudinal series of openings 35 (see Figure 3) in the forward edges thereof for selective reception of the bolts at .32, so as to permit the relativ .ad

justrnent of the frame sections 53 and without changing the spacing of the brackets 35. A pair of spaced forwardly conver ing and inclined handles 38 are hinged at their rorward upon the axle 33 and extend rearwardly beyond the frame 5 for being grasped in the hands by the operator when pushing the cultivator ahead. Di roctly in front of the frame E the handles 35 are connected by an arched brace 3i whoselower ends are pivoted to the respective brackets ti as at '38. The legsor end portions of brace 3'5 are provided with longitudinal elongated slots through which pass bolts ill that extend through openings in the handles 3b. The bolts ii? are nut-ted, and. by loosening the nuts thereof, the handles may vertically adjusted to suit the height of the operator, the adjustment being secured by tightening the nuts of the bolts at Gil. By reason of this construction, the handles 35 are not only braced relative to each other, but such handles are braced relative to the brackets 35 and the brackets 1%! are braced relative to the handles. The pivots at 3'6 accommodate for the varying angles between the parts 3!, 35 and 3'? when the handles 3% are vertically adjusted. In use, the wheels will sustain a portion of the weight of the frame 5 and parts carried thereby, although the desired downward pressure may be imposed upon the cut ters it by forcing downwardly on the rear ends of the handles 31. When transporting the cultivator from one place to another, however, the

cutters It may be lifted out of engagement with the ground by elevating the rear ends of the handles 31, at which time the wheels 3 will sustain all of the weight.

A slotted clearer plate 4| is provided for the disc cutters of each cultivating unit, said clearer plate extending between and bolted at l to the depending end members ll of the frame of said unit. The slots 43 of plate M receive the upper portions of the disc cuttes, the portions of the plate between these slots and adjacent cutters constituting clearer elements for the latter.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the present cultivator will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. It will be particularly seen that a very simple and durable construction is had in which the various desired adjustments are provided for. Minor changes are contemplated, such fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a hand or garden cultivator, the combination of a main frame consisting of two generally similar hollow slab-like frame sections, one of said frame sections having a reduced exten sion at its inner end slidably telescoped into the other frame section to vary the Width of the frame, means to secure said frame sections in relatively adjusted positions, a cultivating unit beneath each frame section, each cultivating unit embodying an inverted substantially U-shaped frame having an upper horizontal member bolted to the underside of the associated frame section and end members depending from the ends of said horizontal member, and a shaft journaled in the lower ends of said end members and having a gang of disc cutters mounted thereon, and handle means for use in moving the cultivator over the ground including a pair of attaching members secured to corresponding transverse edges of the frame sections, said frame sections being adjustable laterally relative to said attaching members.

2. The construction defined in claim 1, in combination with axle mounts mounted upon the outer ends of said frame sections adjacent the rear edges thereof, axles carried by said axle mounts and projecting laterally therefrom be- 'yond the outer ends of said frame sections, and small ground engaging wheels journaled on the projecting en ds of said axles entirely above the disc cutters for use in facilitating transportation of the cultivator from one place to another when said. cultivator is inverted with the cultivating units projecting upwardly.

3. The construction defined in claim 1, in combination with axle mounts mounted upon the outer ends of said frame sections adjacent the rear edges thereof, axles carried by said axle mounts and projecting laterally therefrom be ;yond the outer ends of said frame sections, small ground engaging wheels journaled on the projecting ends of said axles entirely above the disc-cutters for use in facilitating transportation of the cultivator from one place to another when said cultivator is inverted with the cultivating units projecting upwardly, said handle means including an elongated handle, said attaching members comprising straps bolted at corresponding ends to one end of the handle and having the other ends thereof outturned, and means to adjustably bolt the other corresponding ends of said straps to the forward edges of said frame sections so as to 4. In a hand or garden cultivator, the combination of a main frame consisting of two hollow slab-like frame sections, one of said frame sec tions having a reduced extension at its inner side slidably telescoped into the other frame section to vary the width of the frame, means to secure said frame sections in relatively adjusted positions, a cultivating unit beneath each frame section, each cultivating unit embodying an inverted substantially U-shaped frame having an upper horizontal member and end members depending from said upper member, and a shaft journaled in the lower ends of said end members and having a gang of disc cutters mounted thereon, means pivotally attaching the inner end of the upper horizontal member of the frame of each cultivating unit to the underside of the associated frame section to provide for swinging adjustment of the cultivating unit about a vertical axis so as to adjust the cultivator section to different angular positions relative to the line of travel of the cultivator, means at the outer end of each upper horizontal member to secure the cultivating units in different positions of angular adjustment, and handle means for use in moving the cultivator over the ground including attaching members secured to corresponding transverse edges of the frame sections.

5. In a hand or garden cultivator, the combination of a main frame consisting of two hollow slab-like frame sections, one of said frame sections having a reduced extension at its inner side slidably telescoped into the other frame section to vary the width of the frame, means to secure said frame sections in relatively adjusted positions, a cultivating unit beneath each frame section, each cultivating unit embodying an inverted substantially U-shaped frame having an upper horizontal member bolted to the underside of the associated frame section and end members depending from the ends of said horizontal member, and a shaft journaled in the lower ends of said end members and having a gang of disc cutters mounted thereon, angular spaced brackets having vertical arms bolted to the forward edges of the frame sections and including forwardly projecting lower horizontal arms, a transverse axle mounted in the forward ends of said forwardly projecting horizontal arms, ground. engaging wheels journaled on the ends of said axle, spaced forwardly inclined handles pivoted at their forward ends on said axle, an arched brace pivoted'at its ends to said brackets and having elongated slots in the end portions thereof, and clamping bolts passing through said slots and the handles for connecting the brace to the latter and securing the handles in different vertical adjusted positions.

DOMENIC A. ROSSI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 422,161 Ruggles Feb. 25, 1890 540,251 Hamachek June 4, 1895 831,531 Brantner Sept. 25, 1906 901,221 Watson Oct. 13, 1908' 950,084 Watson Feb. 22, 1910 

